Bobby Labonte: Tropicana 400 preview

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- A year removed from the 'Muppetgate' controversy at Chicagoland Speedway, Bobby Labonte is primed and ready to come back to the mile and a half oval that has yet to yield a top-10 finish for him. In his two starts so far, Labonte has managed disappointing finishes of 39th and 18th, but hopes this weekend's Tropicana 400 will provide much different results.

"Our performance at the mile and a half tracks seems to be getting back to where we are a threat every time we unload," said Labonte. "That's a great feeling and it shows how hard these guys have been working all season long. We blew up there the first year we ran up there and last season we lost a lap during a pit sequence, so we know we have a lot of work to do this weekend. Based on what we have done so far in 2003 though, I think we are up to the challenge."

As Labonte mentioned earlier, the team is having a great amount of success this season on what would be considered the intermediate sized tracks similar to Chicagoland. In the six events run so far this year at those types of tracks, Labonte has recorded one victory, three pole positions and five top-five finishes. And is averaging an eighth-place finish in those races only because of a 37th place finish in Texas following an accident while running in the top-five.

"Chicagoland is a mile and a half, but it is so different than anything else we race at," explained Labonte. "It seems like you never stop turning there due to the backstretch being bowed a little bit. It just seems like there is no time to rest as there are no straight parts of the track, but we'll justdo the best we can. Everyone has the same surface to race on, so it's not like we're at a disadvantage."

So far 2003 has been all about improved results for Labonte and the Interstate Batteries Racing Team. Through 17 events on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, Labonte has recorded 10 top-five and 11 top-ten finishes, including a victory in Atlanta back in March. Possibly more impressive than that is the fact that Labonte is in the midst of somewhat of a hot streak. Through the last nine races, Labonte has recorded seven of his top-five's and eight top-ten's and has moved from 15th in the point standings to his current position of fourth.

"So far it's been a pretty good summer I'd say," admitted Labonte. "We had a bit of a hiccup at Pocono where we finished 17th, but other that that the last two months have been pretty good. 'Fatback' (Michael McSwain) and I seem to be communicating really well and he is doing such a good job with all the guys on the team. Everything just seems to be clicking right now."

For Labonte and crew chief Michael McSwain, communication has been the key to their success so far this season. This weekend's event in Chicago should be no different in that it will provide a true test of the team's cohesiveness and their ability to get the chassis just right for the Labonte.

"I think we will be pretty close when we unload," Labonte said. "And if we aren't, we'll keep working on it. One thing we haven't done this season is panic when things aren't going exactly the way we might want them to. While 'Fatback' seems to sometimes be on the verge of exploding, he is actually very calm on the inside and is very driven. He never gives up trying to get more speed out of the car and utilizes every minute we have of practice. He pushes all of us to do a better job each and every time out."